Gotta love the grindcore! These guys throw down 15 songs in fifteen minutes of the best death metal influenced grind I've heard in years. The songs are short and to the point, and they actually have a point too. The lyrics are very cool; political and personal, they're delivered with a poetic quality not seen in many grind bands. Another bonus is the catchiness of many of the songs on "Misery Index." There's some real memorable riffs on here.

The musicianship is excellent, but the drumming really stands out. This guy is simply out of his mind. Cool bass tone as well. The vocals are the guttural death growls we all know and love. All of this adds up for one hell of a grinding good time.

"Misery Index" was recorded at Morrisound in Florida and engineered by Scott Burns (Cannibal Corpse, Death..the list goes on), so you know it's gotta sound good. I guess Steve Heritage (guitar/vocals) works there too. These guys know what they're doing.

Find it, buy it

1. QED
2. Salt Mine
3. Corners
4. Dataclast
5. Blight of Element
6. Talon of Dominion
7. Unrequited Blood
8. Wartorn
9. Sum and Substance
10. Riven
11. Reversing Denial
12. Lithographs
13. Intraveneous
14. A Monument to Failure
15. In Absence

Overcast happens to be one of those bands on the hardcore scene who is just too metal for their own good... but I mean that in a positive way... ‘cause metal rules.

Now I know there are a ton of metal bands in hardcore, but these guys blow most of them away. What makes them good, is that they are very diverse within the genre of metal. These guys pull influences from all over the place: death metal, hardcore, late 80’s thrash... you name it. Plus, their dynamic songs range from melodic to abrasive, and frankly, are catchier than most pop bands out there today.

Dammit these guys can play their instruments too! There’s technical thrash riffs and little lead breaks all over the place. The singer is very diverse too. Check out the thrash breakdown towards the end of “Apocalypse Upon Us.” He sings, screams, and belches out death vocals all with equal ability. The quality of lyrics helps out too. No cliche metal lyrics here.

The drums are top notch. He’s got all the requisite metal beats down, plus he throws in some of his own stuff... these guys change riffs and beats every couple of bars, so ya know they got their shit together.

Anyways... this disc is damn good. I strongly recommend finding this. I also recommend seeing these guys live. Note for note man... They put on a good show and are nice guys as well. Overcast should be huge if they keep up the good work.

1. Apocalypse Upon Us
2. Spun
3. Filter of Syntax
4. Syrofoam Death-Machine
5. YOUR(destructive)SELF
6. More Metal than your Ma's Kettle
7. Seven Ft. Grin
8. Dousing this Flame
9. Forecast

Well, several of my close musician friends gave some big props out to Sleep, saying that I should run out and buy the new disc, so I did.

What I got was one fifty-two minute song dedicated to hittin' the bong. Already, it's not speaking my language.

"Jerusalem" starts off with the guitar playing the same riff for two and a half minutes (yawn) before the band decides to come in and bash out the same boring riff for another ten minutes. (stretch… yawn) I've never heard the note "C" played so many times in my life. The rest of the disc is a variation on this theme (roll over/bury face in pillow) with some Sabbath style solos sloppily thrown in. (over said boring riff)

Sonically it's got that sludge sound we all know and love. It's produced by Billy Anderson (Melvins, Eyehategod). I know comparing bands is usually bullshit, but the vocals really sound like the Melvins and the band has that Eyehategod mix. Unfortunately the results are less than satisfying.

I must apologize, I hate giving bad reviews, but this disc doesn't float my boat, just my turds. If you want quality sludge, go buy Eyehategod's "Dopesick" or the Melvins' "Houdini." Sleep did just that… (snore)

1. Jerusalem